Loose leaf binder



May 23, 19319.

` origina1-Fi1ed Feb. 2s, 1937 J'. COOPER ET AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS:

ATTORNEYS May 23, 1939.

J. coQPER E1' AL LOOSE LEAF BINDER Original Filed Feb. 23. 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Z/ u Il Q E 2f so I L. L 74 25 /6 /7 30 75 JA 8] N f 8 79g/ D f I Il 73 75 30 7 y U l l 2 l u 74 7/ /'H I Lal 7o I I lI l 33 I l E 1 I ,Las 32 l I l l az gl 72 79 I- 7a 7* lil 36 I J 3.6

35 INVENTORS.'

. .faps 609mg' ;TI E- Q BY eaflefaule,

' TTORNEY.

J. COOPER Er A1. 2,159,009

LOOSE LEAF BINDER May 23, 1939.

Original Filed Feb. 23, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VENT ORS Em 2017er ATTORNEY.

J. COOPER Er A1.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Feb. 23, 1937 J 6 INSNTORS BY efafdjaule A ORNEYS vMM 23, 1939.

Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Syracuse, N. Y., assignors to H all & McChe'sney, Inc., Syracuse, N; Y., 'a corporation of New York Application February 23, 1937, Serial No. 127,122

Renewed August 23, 1938 Claims.

This invention relates generally to loose leaf binders of the type` disclosed in Patent No. 1,934,040, issued November 7, 1933. Such binders are employed to retain comparatively large sheets or leaves on which instruments, such as deeds, mortgages, etc., are recorded. These binders are constructed in such a manner that the leaf impaling mechanism may be. readily disconnected from the binder proper to permit in- Y sertion and removal of the leaves.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements on the type of binder disclosed in copending application of Cooper & Wall, Sr. No. 110,716, led November 13, 1936, which application is directed to a structure by which the leaf impaling mechanism is automatically reattached to the binder proper by the closing of the binder. While that structure operates efliciently and satisfactorily, it is to some extent complicated,

costly to manufacture, and is mounted on the yinner face of the back member, which requires a notch to be cut in the inner edges of the leaves to accommodate the automatic mechanism.

This invention has as an object a loose leaf :5 binder of the full automatic type embodying a structurefor effecting the full automatic operation, and which is particularly economical in manufacture and efficient in operation, and is mounted within the back member, whereby Pfl standard forms of leaves or sheets now in conventional use may be employed with this improved binder. l

The invention has a further object a particularly economical and eiilcient construction for i securing the ends of the leaf impaling posts to the back member of the binder.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions here,- inafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a plan view, with parts shown in section, of a binder embodying our invention arranged in flat open position.

Figure 2 is a transverse, sectional view of the back member, vhousings and contiguous portions o of the cover members illustrating the back member detached from like ends of the posts and swung outwardly to permit removal and insertion of the leaves.

,Figure 3 is e View, similar to 2. with the hook member end essoeieted Peris swung (on 42e-es) toward the posts into vertical position with the detached housing in post engaging position.

Figure i is a view looking to the left Figure 3, with the outer portion of the back member removed;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the latch bar.

Figure 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view of one of the housings and latch bar illustrating the housing in post engaging position- VFigure 7 is a view, similar to Figure 6, with the housing attached to the end of the posts.

- Figure 8 is a plan view of a modified fornn of latch bar.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional View taken on lines 0 9, Figure 8, and showing the contiguous portion of the housing.

Figure 10 is a View, similar to Figure 9, taken op lines Ulf-l0, 'Figure 8,.-

Fgue 11 is a lengthwise, sectional View taken Qn lines 11,-! l, Figure. 8, and showing. the oohtehohs Portion of the housing.

The embodiment of the invention here illus,- 'afiefl 009515155. 0f 1 1005 leaf binder, being in the main of e Conventional construction for binders of this. timel moludins e beek member oomposed of a core l5 of wood, ibre, or the like, @P00000 i0 0r0f's4 SCQI! 011.0 @Overed 01.1, its Outer side lwith a layer I6 of fabric, leather, or other sl'iitable material. The basl; member further includes o sheet motel member Il, trough Shaped ih, Cross seotioh end being. formed elohg its longitudinal edges with a plurality of spaced apart hinge eyes IQ. The member I1 is secured to the core i5 any suitable manner, as by riveting, endl msieod of heine e single member extending lengthwise Vof, a book, a plurality of transversely eitending strap members may be employed.

The binder vfurther includes a pair of cover members I9, 2li of conventional laminated formation, and being provided along their inner edges with metallic strips 21| secured between the laminations of the covers and having an out- Wardly extending portion 22 formed into a plurality of spaced apart hinge eyes 23. 'I'he covers I9, ,20 are provided with an outer iinishing layer 24y of leather, or other suitable material, which is continued in the form of a iiap 25 extending between the outer portion of the back member and the hinge eyes I8 for the purpose of covering the hinged joint between the back members and the covers toV render the book of more attractive eooeerenee- The leaves are secured in the binder by means of a pluraiity of leaf impaling postsv 3 0 extending through suitable perforations made in the leaves and being attached to the back member at their ends. In order that the leaves may be inserted and removed at will, a structure is employed for detaohably securing like ends of the posts 30 to the back member or binder proper, and preferably this structure is of duplicate formation so that either end of the posts may be detached. As here shown, the structure for detachably securing the ends of the posts 39 to the binder comprises housings 3|, 32, which are formed rectangular in general cross section and provided with hinge eyes 33. The housings 3l, 32 are provided with suitable latch means operable upon engagement with the ends of the posts 30 to secure the same to the housings when the housings are moved about the pivot of the hinge eyes 33.

The binder further includes a back plate 35 extending transversely oi the back member and being formed along each of its longitudinal edges with a plurality of spaced apart hinge eyes 36. 'I'he hinge eyes of member l1, covers I9, 20, housings 3| 32, and back plate 35 are so arranged longitudinally of the binder as to interfit and form a piano hinge along each side of the back member, and the covers I9, 2U, housings 3| 32, are movable upon this hinge pivot 38. The outwardly extending portion 22 of the cover plates 2| is oiset outwardly, as indicated from Figures 2 and 3, to accommodate the housings 3|, 32, so that the inner side of the housings 3l, 32, is arranged substantially in the plane of the inner sides of the covers I9, 20.

The housings 3l, 32 are formed on their inner sides with apertures 39 arranged in register with the posts 30, and the outer side of the housings, as here shown, is provided with smaller apertures 40 to receive the tapered ends 4l of the posts 30. The cover members I9, 20 are freely pivoted on the pivot rods 38, and the housings 3|, 32, are movable about the same pivot toward and from the ends of the posts 30 when detached therefrom. The structure thus far described is commonly employed in making binders of this type.

This invention has to do principally with tWo improvements added to this structure, one of which consists of a novel latch mechanism mounted in the housings 3|, 32, by which the ends of lthe posts 30 are securely latched to the housings automatically when the housings are swung inwardly about the pivots 38. This latch mechanism further assists in maintaining the posts 30 in substantially a right angular position to the housings 3 I, 32, when the posts are latched thereto. The second improvement has to do with a simplied and efiicient structure which is operable to automatically move the back member toward the posts and leaves to secure or latch the housings to the ends of the posts by simply closing the cover of the binder.

The latching mechanism arranged in the housings 3I, 32, consists, as shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, '1, of a channel member 45, see Figure 5, which is slidably mounted in the housings with the bottom 46 of the channel arranged adjacent the inner wall or side of the housings, and is provided with elongated slots to receive the ends of the posts 39. One end portion 41 of these slots is formed of sufficient length and width to clear the ends of the posts, and inwardly extending flanges 48 are arranged on each side of the opposite end portion of the slot. The anges 48 are slightly resilient and extend upwardly from the bottom 46 of the channel member, as shown in Figures 2, 3, 6 and '1. The posts 30 are provided on opposite sides with notches 50 arranged immediately below the tapered end portions 4l and the arrangement and spacing between the inner ends of the anges 48 in such that as the housings 3l, 32, are swung inwardly on pivots 38, the ilanges 48 are sprung or pressed outwardly by the tapered ends 4I of the posts, and when the housing has assumed a position at right angles to the posts, the ends of the ilanges 48 snap into the notches 50. At this time, the tapered ends of the posts are located in the apertures 40 formed in the outer side wall of the housings, see bottom housing Figures 2, 3 and '1. Because of the fact that the outer ends of the posts are arranged in the apertures 40, and the posts are based laterally by the flanges 48, the posts are prevented from having any appreciable relative lateral movement, and are maintained in upright vertical position when the upper housing, as 3|, is detached from the upper ends of the posts, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, and accordingly, the leaves may be readily removed and inserted over the free ends of the posts inasmuch as they are maintained in alinement.

The apertures 40, formed in the outer side wall of the housings 3l, 32, are arranged centrally of the housings. However, the slots 39, formed in the inner side walls of the housings, are not arranged centrally, but toward the inner side edge of the housings because of the pivotal movement of the housings, and to permit the housings to pass over the ends of the posts Without moving the same out of alinement. As previously stated,

the channel members 45 are slidably mounted in the housings, and are formed at one end with a manual 52 extending through the end of the housing, and the channel member is urged outwardly through this end of the housing by compression springs 53 interposed between the inner ends of the channel member 45 and the ends of the housings. 'Ihat is, the channel members 45 are urged toward and maintained in position with the flanges 48 arranged in the notches 50, and the housings are detached from the ends of the posts by pressing inwardly on the manual 52, moving the channel member 45 inwardly, and moving the flanges 48 out of the notches 50, and bringing the enlarged portion 41 of the slots into registration With the ends of the posts. 'I'he housings may be then swung outwardly on the pivots 38 away from the ends of the posts.

In Figures 8 to 11, a modied form of latch bar is disclosed. This latch bar consists of a channel member 55 provided with post receiving slots and inwardly extending ilanges 56, similar to the ilanges 48 in the structure previously described. It will be understood that the anges 48, 56, are formed by bending portions of the bottom wall of the channel members upwardly during the formation of the channel members from sheet metal.

In the structure disclosed in Figures 8 to 11, the anges 56 do not engage the notches 59 of posts 30, but a channel member 51 is arranged in the channel member 55 adjacent each of the post receiving slots and is formed of comparatively thin spring material, such as phosphorus bronze, and is formed with opposed inwardly and upwardly extending ilanges 58 which are arranged to engage the notches 50 of the posts 30.

During the formation of the channel member 55, the sides of the post receiving slot are bent inwardly to form the iianges 56, 60. The flanges 56 extend in substantially the same angular relalil lti'onship asthe anges/rlfFigures 5, 6 and 7, and act as' supports vforthe anges 58 of channel member 51.'- Thefsidesfofthe remaining portion of the-'post receivingslot are bent upwardly to form-fthelilangesr. 'e The channel member 51 isrformedwith a post`r receiving slot, the sidesof `one end of theslot being dei-ined by the' flanges 58, and the opposite end of the slot is of greater width `and' fits over the anges 68. Theflanges 80 are accordingly cooperable'with the channel member 51 vto prevent'endwse movement of the same relative'to"theislide'bar channel member 55, and the sides ofthe channel member 51 are of such width that their edges coact against the outer side ofthehousings' 3|, 32. In this manner, the channel lmemberV 51 is deta'chably secured to the channel vmember 55, and is movable axially of the-housing therewith.

The` structure just described effects a saving of spring materialyand permits the main slide bar channelto be formed of any suitable and economical material, such as steel, and requires only `the channeli-nsert members 51 vto be formed of more,v expensive ,spring material, such as phosphorus'b'ron'ze.;

"It will befunderstood that the latch mechanism is the saniejin bothof the'housings 3|, 32. That is, if th`e-lfiinderisl constructed so that both ends `of the posts are detachably secured to the back member: bar channel member 55 is also slidably mounted in the housings 3|, 32 and is normally maintained in outward position byv a compression spring.

YAs here shown, the manual 62 is composed of a L separate piece operatively secured to the end of the channel 55, and is provided with an elongated slot4 63to 'receive rivet 84 extending through the end of the housing."V The outer end of the channel member 55 is bifurcated as at 65 to also recei've the body of the' rivet, and the inner end of the manual 62 presscsagainst a tongue 68 bent fupfrom the'bottom side of the channel member '55'. This construction y permits convenient assembly of the latch mechanism, and the rivet 64 acts asa stop to limit the outwardmovement of the channelmember 55.

' lnjthe. construction disclosed in Figures 1 to 7, .the bottom wall'ofthe vchannel members 45 are provided with an elongated slot 68 to receive the floody cfa rivet 59 extending through the housings and being securedthereto, the rivet 69 thus forming stops' for the respective channel slide bars 45.

From th-e description thus far, it will be apparentthat when one of the cover members I9, 28, is moved towards open position and the latch 'members 45' or 55'pressed inwardly, the adjacent housing is. released from the ends of the posts and subsequently the back member of the binder maybe swung outwardly about the opposite pivot rod 38 to the position illustrated in Figure 2. The leaves, illustrated by dotted outline Figures 2 and 3, may be then conveniently removed from and replaced on the posts 30.

. As previously stated, this invention also includes an eiiicient and economical mechanism for causing the back member to move into vertical position, as illustrated in Figure 3, and to cause the detached housing to move into post engaging position by simply moving the open cover toward closed position. That is, it is not necessary to It'is 'to be understood that the slide f Thissti'ucture comprises links 10, 1|, pivoted at their 'outer ends to hinge eyes 12 formed on the inner edge of the housings 3|, 32, at 13. The outer pivoted ends of ther links 10, 1|, are formed with 'an offset and extend through slots or apertures k1|! formed in the edges of the plate 35. A bracket is secured.- to the inner surface of the plate 35, as by rivets 16, or other suitable means, and to which are pivoted links 18, 19, on pivot pin 80, and the free ends of the links 18, 19, are pivotally connected to the inner ends of links 18, 1|, respectively, on pivot pins 8|. One or more torsion springs 82 encircle the pivot pin 88 and are arranged with their free ends coacting with the links 18, 19, or pins 8|, and tending to urge the free ends o-f said links outwardly, or away from each other, and accordingly to urge the links 18, 1 and housings 3|, 32, outwardly against the inner sides of the covers I9, 20, or the portions 22 of plates 2| thereof.

Normally, when the binder is in closed position, the links 10, 18and 1|, 19 form broken toggles. That is, the links are moved to their innermost position, as illustrated by the links 1|, 19, Figure 3. The links are such, and the pivots 13, 80 and 8| are so arranged that, when the housings are detached from the ends of the posts 38 and swung to vertical position, as illustrated at the top of Figure 3', the pivot point 8| moves to a position nearly in alinement with the pivot I pins 13, 88. Or, in other words, the toggle approximates straight position. The housings 3|, 32, are prevented from swinging outwardly beyond the position shown at the top of Figures 2 and 3 by engagement of the outer portions of the links 10, 1|, With the piano hinge construction of the backl member, covers, housings, etc. When the open cover |9, Figures 2 and 3 is moved from horizontal open position towards vertical position, it engages the detached outwardly swung housing 3| which, however, is prevented from counter-clockwise rotation by means of links 10, 18 and springs 82. That is, this structure prevents pivotal movement of the detached housing and adjacent cover, and effects pivotal movement of the entire back member unit about the pivot of the lower cover 28. The springs 82 are formed to exert suicient pressure on the linkage to maintain the toggle in nearly straightened condition during this movement. member has been swung to Vertical position, as illustrated in Figure 3, further closing movement of the cover results in a pivotal movement of the same about the hinge pin 38 and effects a pivotal movement of the housing 3| toward the free ends of the posts 38. During this movement, the links 10, 18, are moved inwardly assuming an angular relationship against the pressure of the springs '82. It will be observed that during this movement, the back member is maintained in vertical position by the action of the springs 82 on the links, and as the housing 3| moves downwardly over the ends of the posts 30, the latching mechanism operates automatically to secure the housing to the posts. Thereafter, the cover may be freely pivoted for the purpose of opening and closing the binder during the regular use thereof.

It will be observed that the mechanism for automatically moving the back member toward the posts, and securing the posts to the same, is housed Within the back member which is of conventional construction and dimensions.

One or more of these mechanisms may be employed in each binder. We have found that After the back one adjacent each end of the back member operates efficiently for binders of conventional size.

This mechanism is of comparatively simple construction and is exceptionally durable and rugged in use, and without adding any great appreciable cost to the binder, renders the same entirely automatic in reassembly after the same has been opened for access to the leaves.

What we claim is:

1. A loose leaf binder including a back member, a hat plate secured thereto in spaced apart relationship therewith, a cover hinged along each longitudinal edge of the back member, a plurality of leaf impaling posts extending transversely of the back member in spaced apart relationship to said plate, a housing hinged to each longitudinal edge of the back member, said housings including means for detachably securing the ends of the posts to the back member, a link pivotally connected to one of said housings and extending between said plate and back member, a second link pivotally connected at one end to the inner end of said first mentioned link and being pivotally mounted at its other end on the inner surface of said plate, and means cooperable with said links to move said housing about its pivot outwardly towardthe adjacent cover member.

2. A loose leaf binder comprising a plate, a cover hinged along each longitudinal edge of said plate, a housing hinged along each longitudinal edge of said plate and arranged inside of said covers, a plurality of leaf impaling posts extending transversely of said plate, said housings being provided with means operable for detachably securing the ends of the posts to the housings, a link pivotally connected at one end to one of said housings, a second link pivotally mounted at one end centrally of said plate and being pivotally joined at its other end to the inner end of said first mentioned link, and a torsion spring operable on said linkage to move said housing, when detached from the ends of said posts, about its pivot outwardly from said posts against the inner surface of the adjacent cover.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hinged along each longitudinal edge of the back member, a plurality of leafy impaling posts extending transversely of the back member, a housing pivotally mounted adjacent each edge of the back member and arranged on the inner side of said cover, said housings being provided with means operable to detachably secure the ends of the posts to the housings, a plate extending transversely of the back member in spaced apart relationship thereof, a pair of links pivotally mounted at like ends on the rear surface of said plate, a second pair of links pivotally connected at like ends to the respective housings and extending inwardly between said plate and back member andbeing pivotally connected at their inner ends to the respective first mentioned links, a torsion spring arranged on said first mentioned pivot and being operable on said links to urge said housings outwardly from the ends of the posts against the inner sides of said covers when said housings are detached from the ends of the posts. f

4. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hinged along each longitudinal edge of the back member, a housing pivotally mounted on each cover hinge and arranged on the inner side of the covers, a plurality of leaf impaling posts extending transversely of the back member, said housings being provided with means operable for detachably securing the ends of the posts to the housings, a plate carried by the back member and extending transversely thereof in spaced apart relationship thereto, said back member and one of said housings being movable about the opposite cover hinge away from said posts when said housing is detached therefrom, and means cooperable with the back member, detached housing, and adjacent cover, for automatically moving said back member toward said posts and said housing intoV engagement with said posts during closing of the adjacent Cover, said means comprising a link pivotally'connected at one end to said detached housing and extending inwardly between said plate and back member, a second link pivotally connected at one end to said plate and at its other end to the inner end of said first mentioned link, and spring means acting on said links and tending to urge said detached housing outwardly against the inner surface of said adjacent cover.

5. A loose leaf binder comprising a back member, a cover hinged along each longitudinal edge of the back member, a housing pivotally mounted on each cover hinge and arranged on the inner side of the covers, a plurality of leaf impaling posts extending transversely of the back member, said housings being provided with means operable for detachably securing the ends of the posts to the housings, a plate carried by the back member and extending transversely thereof in spaced apart relationship thereto, said back member and one of said housings being movable about the opposite cover hinge away from said posts when said housing is detached therefrom, and means cooperable with the back member, detached housing, and adjacent cover, for automatically moving said back member toward said posts and said housing into engagement with said posts during closing of the adjacent cover, said means being housed between the back member and said plate.

JAMES COOPER.

GERHARD H. J. BAULE. 

